When people go out for a fine night of dining what is expected is a high quality of food, good service, and an atmosphere to enhance their dining experience. Food service managers ensure all these are possible and reached because repeat business is important for the success of the establishment. Food service managers are just as important as the chefs who prepare the meals. Why is this? Great food at respectable prices is only a fraction of a successful restaurant. Even if the food is a masterpiece, if such a masterpiece takes 2 hours to be prepared and serve to the customers, it will not be worth the long wait. Food services managers have to make sure the food is prepared quickly and still maintain its quality.
There are a variety of jobs in the food service industry such as the waiters and waitresses, managers, chefs, assistant chefs or sous chefs, dishwashers, bus boys, and bartenders. Food service managers have a great deal of responsibilities they must handle on a daily basis. A good food service manager can essentially make or break a restaurant or create an establishment that will be a customer favorite for years to come.
While the owners have the control of an establishment, the food service manager runs the day to day operations and make sure the establishment is profitable. Since time is money, food service managers must ensure food is served to the customers in a respectable manner and that the food is prepared well to meet the establishment’s standards. They must also be involved with menu selection, inventory, decor, schedule hours for employees, perform administrative activities such as payroll, and they have the task of hiring and firing employees.
Those who wish to become certified as a food service manager can do so by getting the Foodservice Management Professional certification. Many food service managers rise and pay their dues by working as bus boys or waitresses and over time are given advancement opportunities. Those who wish to start a career in the food service industry and become a food service manager can do so by acquiring a degree in food service management. Also, 2-4 year degrees in hospitality management will greatly be beneficial.
Becoming a food service manager requires knowledge in business, nutrition, business law and management, and excellent communication skills. Being that the food service industry combines the world of business and the world of cuisine, those who have a high knowledge in both will have the best opportunities. Leadership qualities are highly valuable to a food service profession, because problems will occur, and remaining calm and collected under pressure will benefit all those who work under them. Customers will question their meals, food service will be slow on some occasions, and the food service managers should be on top of all these types of situations. Motivation is also an important quality a food service manager should possess. The food service industry can be a very stressful and keeping employees motivated in difficult times is the sign of an excellent food service manager.
Food service managers are expected to grow over the next decade because of the increase in population. Depending on the size of the establishment and level of responsibilities, food service managers can earn anywhere from $35,000-$70,000 per year.
The National Restaurant Association Educational Foundation offers a variety of educational materials and training for those who seek a career in food services. The Restaurant Association and the International Council on Hotel, Restaurant, and Institutional Education also offers training and education for those interested.
Food service managers must in a sense love their career because it is very demanding and requires dedication and commitment to make a successful establishment. Typically food services managers may work well pass 40 hours per week. Some may work 7 days a week at times to manage and take of all the responsibilities required of them. Not everyone can become a food service manager, it takes a specific individual who has all the necessary skills and has the desire. Many of us know very little on how a food establishment works and operates, we just know we walk in, sit down and order the meal. We should realize and appreciate how difficult running a profitable food establishment really is. Food service managers are a major part of the puzzle of making a successful establishment run smoothly.
